Knut Niss, PhD

“Everything that happens, from the moment the cells are taken from the patient to the infusion, is controlled by mastering everything that happens in our manufacturing facility... I would say that is probably what separates us most from the typical biotech model.”

Mustang Bio is developing cell therapies for a variety of indications. Their lead program, MB-106, is a CD20-targeted, autologous CAR T cell therapy that has demonstrated efficacy in high-risk B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

The data showed that MB-106 treatment yielded an overall response rate (ORR) of 93% (14 of 15) and a complete response (CR) rate of 67% (10 of 15). ORR was 91% (10 of 11) and CR was 82% (9 of 11) in patients with follicular lymphoma. As of EHA 2021, all patients achieving CR remained in remission. CAR T persistence was seen in all dosages. The treatment had an acceptable safety profile, with cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurring in 6 patients (40%): 3 cases of grade 1 and 3 cases of grade 2.

 spoke with Manuel Litchman, MD, president, chief executive officer, and director, and Knut Niss, PhD, chief technology officer, Mustang Bio, to learn more about the company’s approach to producing cell therapies. They discussed how their in-house manufacturing allows for a more streamlined and efficient process.

Mustang Bio Announces Updated Interim Phase 1/2 Data for MB-106 CD20-Targeted CAR T in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory B-cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. NEws release. Mustang Bio. June 11, 2021. https://ir.mustangbio.com/News/news-details/2021/Mustang-Bio-Announces-Updated-Interim-Phase-12-Data-for-MB-106-CD20-Targeted-CAR-T-in-Patients-with-Relapsed-or-Refractory-B-cell-Non-Hodgkin-Lymphomas-and-Chronic-Lymphocytic-Leukemia/default.aspx

Videos

The chief technology and chief executive officer of Mustang Bio discussed the company’s integrated approach to drug development. 

Advantages of Manufacturing Cell Therapies In-House

“We are very excited about new technologies coming in the processing world... I remember [5, 6 years ago] we tried to make things work with equipment that was designed for other purposes. Now we see equipment specifically for our needs. We're trying to bring that in to make processes more efficient, more robust, which also will lower the cost."

Mustang Bio presented positive data on MB-106, a CD20-targeted, autologous CAR T cell therapy for the treatment of high-risk B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), at the European Hematology Association (EHA) 2021 Virtual Congress.

Investigators found that MB-106 yielded an overall response rate (ORR) of 93% (14 of 15) and a complete rate (CR) of 67% (10 of 15). The ORR was 91% (10 of 11) and CR was 82% (9 of 11) in patients with follicular lymphoma. As of EHA 2021, all patients achieving CR remained in remission. CAR T persistence was seen in all dosages. The treatment had an acceptable safety profile, with cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurring in 6 patients (40%): 3 cases of grade 1 and 3 cases of grade 2.

 spoke with Knut Niss, PhD, chief technology officer, Mustang Bio, to learn more about the company’s approach to producing CAR T therapies. He also discussed upcoming changes to their processing facility that will further expedite production.

Mustang Bio announces updated interim phase 1/2 data for MB-106 CD20-targeted CAR T in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-hodgkin lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. News release. Mustang Bio. June 11, 2021. 

https://ir.mustangbio.com/News/news-details/2021/Mustang-Bio-Announces-Updated-Interim-Phase-12-Data-for-MB-106-CD20-Targeted-CAR-T-in-Patients-with-Relapsed-or-Refractory-B-cell-Non-Hodgkin-Lymphomas-and-Chronic-Lymphocytic-Leukemia/default.aspx

The chief technology officer of Mustang Bio discussed the company’s approach and future plans in CAR T production. 

Knut Niss, PhD

Articles

Advantages of Manufacturing Cell Therapies In-House

Improving Efficiency in CAR T Cell Therapy Production